"I've got a feast / in my back pocket . . ."

[bunnyjadwiga]

A recent SCA request for help with a feast led me to thinking. I know that if I was in a hurry, and had to scramble together a feast menu off the top of my head, based on what was easy to prepare, easy to get, and popular, I could probably pull one out of my back pocket relatively easily. In fact, most SCA foodies could (in my opinion). I started asking around and found that others liked this pleasant game.

So... I'm inviting you all to go ahead and try it. Assume 60-100 attendees, and a budget in the normal range for your area. Please post your 'back pocket feast' before reading other people's comments, if you would. I'm looking forward to seeing your answers...

Comments

[paquerette.livejournal.com]

Well, bear in mind that I've never cooked quite on that scale before (most I've done was sideboard lunch for 50) and I don't actually know a lot of dishes off the top of my head. So these are things I'm familiar with and could probably come up with something pretty close without looking them up again, but I couldn't necessarily do properly without at least taking 5 minutes to visit the sites that have them and printing them out.

Out on table/replenished as needed:
Breads (probably white and wheat, maybe rye; probably purchased) and herbed and plain butters.

First course:
Icelandic chicken pie (double-crust pie with chicken, bacon, and sage)
Armored turnips (just cause I could make it in my sleep at this point)
Salad of fresh greens and herbs, with balsamic vinegar dressing (totally winging it; I know there are period salads but I wouldn't know one if you dumped it on my head)

Second course:
Roast pork with currants, pine nuts, red wine (based on boar en brassey but as a roast instead of a stew)
Barley
Carrots & parsnips

Dessert:
Seasonal fruit
Bread pudding (again, I know there are period ones but I'd have to wing it) or Roman cheesecake
Glazed nuts maybe, if I'm not out of money by now. ;)

Budgeting, I always need help with. So it could be I just sunk us. ;) I'm guessing a $7 or $8 feast though? That's average around here.

[paquerette.livejournal.com]

Oh, and somewhere around here I have plotted out an Apicius-based feast, for 50, in a "roughing it" kitchen (Nesco roasters, coleman stoves, and fire) that I never got to do. I didn't think that counted because I actually tested and planned it, plus I don't remember it off the top of my head after 3 years. ;)

[bunnyjadwiga.livejournal.com]

The feast menu sounds good-- nummy, in fact--, and in the $7-$8 range for your area alright, depending on what the prices are that you can get.

For the salad, dressing with olive oil, vinegar, and salt is always correct. :)